Smiler

Snowboarder, I had many of the same worries but have some words of hope! I'd been aiming for a VBAC: it didn't work out, but was OK anyway. After my waters broke at 36 1/2 weeks but nothing else happened for several days, had an induction on the delivery ward at St Helier Hospital in Sutton (we moved out of Dulwich just before the birth) with continuous monitoring, ending in a second unplanned C-section. Continuous monitoring (which I'd not liked the idea of) was actually OK: had those sensor things, but was able to move around, use the birthing ball, different positions, take breaks from the monitors etc. One thing that really helped after the birth was arranging for my brother-in-law to stay and look after our 2 year-old daughter, which meant Mr Smiler could be at the hospital. He'd never babysat for her before and only sees us every few months, and we'd been worried that it'd be asking too much of him (time off work, dirty nappies etc.) or that our daughter would get upset. We nearly didn't ask him, but in the event he was more than willing to help and she was v.happy being spoiled rotten. We had a good experience at St Helier. They have recently invested lots of money in their maternity service and have a new midwife-led unit with nice rooms with low lighting, pools etc. It's right next to the consultant-led delivery ward in case women need to transfer. They also have private "amenity" rooms for ?125 a night (the privacy was bliss). I'd recommend a book called "Blooming Birth" which includes a big section on second births of all kinds. Also good advice on managing anxieties / taking decisions before and during the birth.

Classic example of male chauvinism!

Congratulations ladies! Am envious of the speedy labours, but hope that there are many more! Hope the early days are going well, and that the waiting isn't too hard for those whose little ones haven't yet arrived. Had forgotten how full-on feeding a newborn is!

Not seen the programme but really recommend the book "Hideous Kinky" by Esther Freud (I think) about a woman who takes her two young daughters to Morocco.

But why didn't you just ask? I just don't get it - when asked, almost everyone will move.

Sometimes it can be difficult to hear at 16 weeks - my midwife couldn't hear my little one's heartbeat with her doppler til 20 weeks or so, which was a bit stressful, but all was fine!

I agree with barry, don't fume quietly about it or be a martyr, just ask!

I would recommend them - had them for my pregnancy up to 36 weeks, but moved away shortly before the birth so couldn't have my (hospital) birth with them. A big advantage is that they will come and see you at home when you are in early labour, not a service available from DMC/Kings. It'd also be nice to have continuity in the early postnatal stages.

Thanks v.much ladies, and to buggie for doing the list - looking forward to more birth announcements!

Baby arrived a bit early, 27 august, little girl! Had just moved so am not technically an ed mummy anymore but hope still ok to announce birth!

15 September, our second girl. Moving house to Surrey in a week's time, will be nearly 37 weeks then, am booking into St Helier instead of Kings, a bit daunting! Going to continue using the forum though!

Congratulations! :))

Best wishes!

It would be interesting to know who will be running the nursery - e.g. has the church simply rented some space to a childcare company or are they directly providing the service?

See this previous thread: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,469488,480862#msg-480862

I dislike it too - pseudo-environmentalist-porn-style weirdness! Luckily my daughter hates it and is scared of the caterpillar thing.

A bit alarmist, new mother! > I use private > medicine a great deal but I never would for birth > etc. (seldom an emergencey facilities and I know > of too many women who have died unecessarily as a > result...)

Boots or Superdrug for bargain toiletries.

It is v.hard for grannies, but I reckon that if the mum is sensitive it may be best not to say anything about this kind of stuff!

Love my Bee but isn't going to work for 2 kids - boo hoo!

Yes, sometimes meals with a toddler can be fun, but sometimes, day-in-day-out, three times a day with just the two of us they are DULL! Good as my daughter's language is and lovely as she is, I really miss meals alone / with my husband / with friends etc. I also find it hard to plan easy-and-quick-to-make-yet-nutritious meals. And I count myself lucky that mine has no probs in terms of eating well, not chucking stuff around etc. womanofdulwich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I do no understand the post above- meal times with > toddlers should be such fun- wait till you have a > grunting teenager opposite you, 2 1/2 is sucha > brilliant time ther language is surging ahead and > they think you are a goddess-.................

Congratulations! Thanks for the update - glad all's going well. How jammy to get a private room - you struck gold there! My emergency C-section was kind of like you describe and is good to hear positive stories.

Know that journalists look for a specific angle, but !!!

When my daughter was tiny I watched loads of trashy American TV while b-feeding, she didn't pay any attention to it and was great for me in that zombified sleep-deprivation period. Then we had spurts of Ceebeebees etc. Now she's bigger (nearly 2 1/2) I have the TV on in the kitchen at breakfast times and sometimes lunch and tea-times too, on the days I'm at home, as a way to get stuff done like making meals (she always follows me to the kitchen at the first hint of food being prepared) and having a shower, also to help relieve the odd atmosphere of meals-for-two when one of you is a toddler! Slummy mummy, but I really don't know how to get through those mealtimes without some kind of distraction for both of us!

The new additions to the playground are great, though for the older kids is a shame that the most exciting bit is still fenced-off. Also a shame about the grass, which was so lovely a few weeks ago and is now all dead. Dulwich park grass looking dry too. Guess must be difficult to maintain without many sprinklers!